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[quote name='steve' post='738103' date='Feb 7 2010, 02:16 PM']Good stuff Mike, could I be so crass as to point out I have a GR-20 for sale in the effects forums?[/quote] Oh yeah? Cool - will go looky! Thanks for letting me know M

Hey hey chaps Just wanted to add a little update to this build diary - Martin has now fitted my single cut with a MIDI pup - and as I already had the Graphtech Ghost piezzo system installed it was a relatively 'easy' job (for sone one with Martin's skills) to add the MIDI gubbins. The new controls on the top of the bass include small patch changer switch and a stacked volume pot - one for the normal bass signal and one of the Midi channel- I can't wait to be able to blend the two together live but I need to get hol dof Roland GI-20 so I can start using this in Logic first - I ain't got the dosh for a floor unit yet but I will save for one and hopefully get one in due course - I was thinking of getting the Roland GR-20 as the full fat version is a little out of my price range for now. Anyway some new MIDI-fied recordings will be on the way soon and least to say I'm really excited about the whole new sound world that will be availlable to me now - I simply don't have enough time to get better at playing piano so this is the perfect solution for me... A couple of pics: [attachment=42006:sei_midi_controls.jpg] [attachment=42005:sei_midi_input.jpg] I'll keep you posted with any more updates Mike

Back on topic, I'll ignore the side debate of 'Jaco's flawed geniius' etc., though I did write a little article on the man with quotes from Metheny, Scofield and Mike Brecker which may enlighten you to JP's personality and impact on other players, you can [url="http://www.munkio.com/words/jaco_feature.html"]read it here[/url], I have to say reiterate that my 'core tone' comes very much from my bass, as in [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJuM2LJb_0M"]this vid[/url] and yes I do use the EQ on the amp to emphasize the sounds I like live, but through a combination of finger picking variations and pickup selection, as well as mid, treble and bass cut or boost I can achieve pretty much any tone I need. Obviously is you wanted to get completely purist about this then I guess I could still contol my tone just with my fingers with just a volume control and no EQ tweaks but my bass has a fundamental starting point that sounds great. I personally think this is essential as the foundation of a great sound, and as proof of this I have played both my Sei basses through every type of amp, from beaten up rehearsal combos to going straight into the PA or mixing desk, and 9 times out of 10 the fundamental tone of the bass has sounded good, though a better quality amp helps massively, but going direct always allows the bass' tone to shine through. In fact I think some amps can colour your core tone so much that they end up detracting from it... I know as I've resorted to going through the PA instead of using a horrible sounding Laney amp in rehearsal not so long ago, and through the PA my bass sounded great, everything pretty much flat on the board... big fat tone. I think this is a great debate though and one that we all should have when choosing gear or seeking out a good sound, personally I really feel it has to come from a great bass, whatever that might be (beaten up vintage or brand new custom etc) and for what suits your musical style and overall approach. To contrast Jaco to Thunes is interesting, two very individual players with two very different sounds, both great musicians both capable of pissing people off! Which ever one you prefer comes down to personal taste and whether Jaco was arrogant or whatever, he was and remains an astonishing and hugely influential player, regardless of whether you like him or not. Same can be said of Charlie Parker, Keith Jarrett, Buddy Rich, Miles Davis, Hendrix etc etc. they all pushed the boundaries of what had come before and for every one person who hated what they did there are 100 who loved it and took it to heart and learned from it. IMO !!!! Mike

The whole Theory and Technique forum is pretty amazing here, almost everything you wanted to know about theory and technique buit were afraid to ask: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showforum=31"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showforum=31[/url] And this guy Lucus Pickford is a bit of legend in terms of theory and some of the best bass transcrip-tions anywhere: [url="http://www.lucaspickford.com/"]http://www.lucaspickford.com/[/url] Best post any theory related questions in the theory forum, there are plenty pg people here who will be happy to help you cheers Mike

[quote name='Craigmartini' post='736421' date='Feb 5 2010, 04:57 PM']I really like this! Great playing Mike! Craig[/quote] Thanks Craig - you play great as well [quote name='silddx' post='736609' date='Feb 5 2010, 07:59 PM']Mike, that's not my cup of cha, but by god, it's bloody amazing![/quote] Differing tastes in cups of tea are what makes the world go round - so thank you too Cheers Mike

[quote name='supabock' post='736089' date='Feb 5 2010, 12:52 PM']Nice, what onboard preamp do you have and also what are your PUP's[/quote] It's a Glockenklang pre with a pair of Nordstrand NJ4SE pups - they are J-style pups but I had Martin P put soapbar housings on them - Sadowsky stylee Thanks for the positive feedback - got a gig tonight with the bass (with my funk band) so looking forward to playing with a REAL drummer instead! Cheers Mike

Hey - I'm from Stroud...! Sadly I live in London so I won't be at this gig - but Stroud is ace - hope the gig goes well, sounds like a worthy/fun night out. Cheers Mike

Hey peeps Just made a little clip emphasizing the jazz/bridge pup sound on my Sei - running it into Logic for the sound - hope you enjoy some of this: Let me know what you think Cheers Mike

Here's one I made earlier (todat!) A little groove based jam on my lovely Sei Jazz, bass went direct into Logic and has a tiny bit EQ/compression but it sounds great straight in... Hooe you dig it Mike

I sort of agree too - I think the one example of someone I know who had a very nice custom GB built for them but now pretty much always plays a stock Yamaha is Laurence Cottle - the GB was obviously much nicer looking and undoubtedly had a galaxy of sounds compared to the Yamaha but the real tone of Laurie's playing was all... in his fingers. So while yes, your ideal tone can be achieved though all manner of eqs and amp tweaks, the real sound of you is always going to come from you and your digits - Having said that since I got my Sei basses the tone is just 'there' without needing to do much to the amp - perhaps another way of looking at this is just how much do you need to adjust or add FX/EQ to your bass to make it sound any good!? I just use a good bass and a good amp - let my finers do the rest M

[quote name='Clarky' post='715497' date='Jan 17 2010, 10:40 AM']Which one(s) are the most well executed, cleverly constructed and beautiful to your ears?[/quote] not sure if this qaulifies on all three counts - there are plenty of beautiful bass solos - perhaps the most beautiful for me is Gary Willis' incredible solo on 'Hymn' from his No Sweat album (it's astonishingly gorgeous and knocks me out every time I listen to it)... but for sheer audaciousness I love Wooten's doubled guitar solo with Mike Stern on Palmystery on the track [b]Left, Right and Centre[/b] - I met him after the London Jazz Fest Flecktones gig last year and asked him how he did this and he said he listened to Mike Stern's solo and learnt it section by section and recorded it a bit at a time - though the end result just sounds like the most impossible unison line ever... but it's all just a Mike Stern solo in one take that Victor doubles perfectly - have a listen: [attachment=41810:victa.mp3] Hope you dig it - I think that's seriiusly cool Mike

Sorry for the quick edit - but I'm playing two more gigs with cool n groove funk band - first one is THIS FRIDAY - in a cosy, freindly pub in South London - called the Steam Engine near lambeth North tube - location etc [url="http://www.qype.co.uk/place/483822-The-Steam-Engine-London"]here[/url] The line up is me plus drums, guitar, horns, keys (possibly) and vocals - no idea how we are all going to fit in the tiny 'stage' area but if you fancy hearing me in funk/groove mode (with the occasional solo thrown in) then that's where I'll be. The rest of the band are all London pro jazzers who love 'the Funk' as well and it'll be mainly orginals with a couple of covers thrown in. We're on around 9.30pm until 11.30pm - it's completely free to get in and it would be great to see a few bass heads there for a beer. [b][url="http://www.groovedigger.co.uk/music/06%20Static%20lofi.mp3"]We sound like this in case you are interested[/url][/b] Hope that all sounds like a stupendously good night out - if not it's a cheap one - and if you can't make this one then we have some more dates coming up in March [b]Second gig is in two weeks time at a funky venue called Babalou in Brixton - on 13th March -see flyer below:[/b] Cheers people - hope to see some of you there Mike

Just a quicky on this as I think all the salient points have been covered - but I will add the price tag in no way 100% guarantees that the bass will be 'your perfect bass' - but the flip side of that is that some people will feel that price alone makes them special... I'm super happy with my Sei basses but I think the fact I had at least two years of planning and then even further discussions with Martin essentially helped create the basses I wanted with no unforseen prolems or dissapointment... I don't know if 'remote' ordering a Fodera would ensure such a thing - and the cost and the waiting time definitely puts me off... However... I have played some wonderful Foderas and some average ones - just like most other basses I have tried - but then the good ones were easily matched for tone, playability and looks by various other boutique names like Marleaux, F Bass, Sei and the occasional mind blowing vintage Fender! If I encountered a used one that was just amazing to play and it was for sale at a 'reasonable' price I would consider buying it - but going through the pain of ordering one and the full cost, I don't think I could do that - as Bilbo said - life's too short and there's too much music to be played... I will also add that Vinnie and Joey are two of the nicest guys on the planet (I was lucky enough to go to the Fodera workshop in 2007 - meet them and interview Vinnie) and do an extremely good job of managing the ridiculous amount of hype and pressure that the Fodera name seems to induce - they got lucky and the know it - but don't hold that against them - it's just how it worked out for them - I wish them all the best and I hope they keep making great basses for many years to come. Cheers Mike

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='732791' date='Feb 2 2010, 12:17 PM']Still a little baffled here... is that an ensemble that plays the music of Pat Metheny in the big band style, but doesn't feature Pat Metheny at all? If so... that sounds class! Any videos/clips on the web anywhere?[/quote] Yes (mainly from the drummer's perspective but sounds great anyway): They gig a lot around London - I should know I keep listing them in Time Out... M

I love my Genz Benz 9.0 - it really has some serious power and amazing clarity and definition - it's stupidly light and small (which is the only slighty unnerving thing about it) but it looks cool and is well worth a look - personally I prefer its tone to that of the Markbass stuff but that's just my preferance - give one of these or a 6.0 a try - very impressive kit. Mike

[quote name='silddx' post='731905' date='Feb 1 2010, 04:46 PM']It was excellent, Mike, I really enjoyed reading it too. I don't want to swell your balls too much but you are the best writer BGM have.[/quote] ... oh, my poor plums...! Thanks dude M

[quote name='NJE' post='731823' date='Feb 1 2010, 03:26 PM']I actually read the article on The Bass Gallery/Sei last night and absolutely loved it. I have been fascinated with Sei and their basses for almost as long as I have been playing so it was a real treat. Just looking at the pictures made me day dream about building guitars and having a basement full of tools and bass parts. Anyway brilliant article and written by one of our own which is superb. I also have to say that the 6 string in the pictures looked stunning (does it belong to anyone on here?) and loved the pictures of their Cat, he/she looks lovely (sorry big cat lover). Brilliant mag and just getting better and better IMHO.[/quote] Thanks fella - glad you enjoyed it so much Mike

[quote name='silddx' post='730467' date='Jan 31 2010, 12:29 PM']Doh! The penny finally drops, so YOU are Mike Flynn! I've said it before and I'll say it again, I really like your writing style.[/quote] Thanks - I appreciate it - I also write for Time Out and Jazzwise - but I've also played bass for 25 years - so it's nice to have an outlet to write about bass-related stuff - hopefully got some more good / big name bassists up for interview soon - thanks again Mike

[quote name='4000' post='730199' date='Jan 30 2010, 11:43 PM']I agree with the first two but as JPJ is one of my all-time favourites I'm very happy reading about what he's been up to. Great to see Mike's article on Martin in there (really enjoyed that), even if they did mis-spell Martin's name on the cover (it's Petersen with an E!) and even more strangely misnamed John as Alex in the photo caption, none of which I'm sure has anything to do with Mike.[/quote] Hi Shaun so glad you guys enjoyed the Sei bass feature, it was a real pleasure to do, but I am gutted about the caption mistake especially as it clearly says in the article that Jon is the other luthier in the shop not Alex... and as for the spelling mistake on the cover, that's just a bit crap as well, shame really as it's a great issue overall. I do the proof reading at Jazzwise, but not at BGM. Oh well. Mike